After going the last 8 games without a power play goal, the Bruins went 3 for 4 with the man advantage as the Bruins shutout the Flames 5-0 behind a strong effort from Tim Thomas on Saturday afternoon at TD Garden. Thomas stopped all 31 shots he faced to earn his 5th shutout of the season, while Dennis Seidenberg, David Krejci, Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, and Mark Recchi all notched goals for the home team.
The Bruins got on the board 14:08 into the contest, as the Bruins scored their first power play goal in 23 opportunities. Dennis Seidenberg ripped a slap shot from the high slot that beat Mikka Kiprusoff down low on the stick side. Dennis Wideman and Marck Recchi picked up helpers on Seidenberg's first goal as a member of the Boston Bruins.
With Craig Conroy in the box for hooking, David Krejci made it 2-0 1:29 into the second period when his half-slapper from the top of the left circle found the back of the net. Krejci's 16th goal of the season was assisted by Zdeno Chara and Johnny Boychuk.
The Bruins converted on the man advantage for the third time in as many opportunities on Zdeno Chara's power play marker 6:15 into the second period made it 3-0. David Krejci and Milan Lucic started the breakout from the defensive zone and Krejci carried the puck into the offensive zone and slid a pass into the slot for Zdeno Chara, who was trailing the play.
Patrice Bergeron get a lucky bounce off a Calgary defender to make it 4-0 4:24 into the third period. Bergeron threw the puck in front looking for Marco Sturm in the slot, but the puck deflected off Craig Conroy and past Mikka Kiprusoff.
Mark Recchi increased the Boston lead to 5-0 5:51 into the third after he picked up a loose puck in front and shoveled a backhander past Mikka Kiprusoff. Following Recchi's goal, Kiprusoff was lifted from the game and replaced with Vesa Toskala.
Notes:
- Rough day for Craig Conroy. Conroy was in the box for the game's first two goals and deflected the 4th goal into his own net.
- Johnny Boychuk has given a 5 minute major for elbowing and a game misconduct for a high hit on Rene Bourque at 7:21 of the third period.
- Marc Savard spoke with the media before tonight's game. During the press conference, Savard mentioned that he wanted to be back on the ice to help his team, especially the power play. I think the guys on the B's power play units listened to what their teammate had to say. Overall, there was not much new information coming out at Savard's press conference. Savard is still experience the symptoms associated with a grade-2 concussion. He has made some slow progress and has tried to get out of the house more. Matt Cooke has tried to contact Savard, but Savard is not ready to speak with him yet. Savard mentioned that he still thinks that there was some intent to injure on Cooke's part.
- The Flames frustration could be seen a few moments after Patrice Bergeron made it 4-0 as Robyn Regehr challenged Shawn Thornton to a fight.
- Steve Begin went down hard off of a face-off with 1:44 left in the third period. He made it back to the bench under his own power.
- Dennis Wideman, David Krejci, Mark Recchi, Zdeno Chara, and Patrice Bergeron all had 2-point games for the Bruins.
- Vladimir Sobotka returned to the lineup after suffering a mild concussion earlier in the week. He logged 11:53 of ice time and won 10 of the 11 draws he took.
- The Bruins will host the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night.